He has accumulated a remarkable list of credits, as well as a more extraordinary list of debits to loan sharks and pawnshops across New York.

In the late 1960s, Kaufman was enrolled at Yale University, working on a degree in Chinese Studies. However, Kaufman was destined for other things. As he explains in his hit book All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger, “At Yale I was placed in a dormitory room with two film fanatics, and I knew everything and had irrevocably changed.”

In 1971, Kaufman met Herz at Yale. The Troma Universe was born in 1974 with a series of highly original, sexy comedies such as Squeeze Play!, Waitress!, and other titles ending with an exclamation point. These independent precursors to such later smash hits as National Lampoon’s Animal House and Porky’s, did well financially, although Kaufman continued to work on such outside productions as Rocky and Saturday Night Fever. Kaufman’s relationship with mainstream Hollywood would not last long: “There were problems, as I always wanted to do things my own way and my employers insisted I do things the correct way.”

Kaufman proved his former employers wrong with his 1984 breakthrough movie, The Toxic Avenger. This tale of a health club mop boy named Melvin who is transformed into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, demonstrating that there was a large number of people who were interested in seeing things done Kaufman’s way. The film led to an animated spin-off series, Toxic Crusaders, several different comic book titles, and three sequels.

The success of The Toxic Avenger was followed by a string of commercial and artistic triumphs in a similar vein, blending fantasy, heavy action, comedy, and eroticism in a style that can only be described as “Tromatic.” These films, including the Class of Nuke ‘Em High trilogy, Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD, and Troma’s War, were often ignored or scorned by the intelligentsia of the time but spoke to an entire generation of young people who rejected the pandering, commercial films of he mid-to-late 80s. Some of these Troma fans went on to become filmmakers themselves, including Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Mike Judge, Peter Jackson and Trey Parker.

Lately, Kaufman and the Troma Team have begun to win respect from even their harshest critics. Tromeo & Juliet became a surprise theatrical and critical hit, earning the grand prize at the Fanta Festival in Rome. Kaufman’s most recent opus, Terror Firmer, inspired by his book All I Need To Know played for six months in Los Angeles alone. In addition, Kaufman has been an honored guest at various international film festivals and Troma retrospectives around the world.

In January 2000, Kaufman founded the TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Determined to give independent film back to the people, it is a festival where there is no entry fee to filmmakers to submit their films, nor is there any admission charged to audience members. TromaDance presents a broad spectrum of films and film styles, creating an opportunity for everyone to put their own personal vision on film and have it seen.

Troma has a dynamic web presence with Troma.com, Tromaville.com, and the newest site, Toxicavenger.com. All three sites provide news and entertainment, as well as providing an outlet for Troma to sell videos, DVDs, clothing, Tromabilia, and other products from the Troma Universe directly to their fans. Troma has also been ahead of the curve in DVD production, releasing feature-packed titles since 1997.

Currently, Kaufman is hard at work putting the finishing touches on Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV. In addition, he will be creating 20 half-hour television episodes for England’s Channel 4. The series, Troma’s Edge TV, will bring UK viewers all the tromatic superheroes, cutting edge humor, and great music they’ve come to expect from Troma movies. Kaufman will again go behind the camera for a zombie film in the inimitable Troma style, currently being developed.